More than five years have passed since a gunman killed 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, stirring the long U.S. debate about gun rights, which are protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
But on Feb. 14, a 19-year-old gunman opened fire at a South Florida high school he had previously been expelled from, killing 17 people before he was arrested by police, authorities said.
It was the 18th shooting in a U.S. school so far this year, according to gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. That tally includes suicides and incidents when no one was injured, as well as the January incident when a 15-year-old gunman killed two students at a Kentucky high school.
The Feb. 14 violence erupted shortly before dismissal at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Miami. Live television footage showed students streaming out of the building as dozens of police and emergency personnel swarmed the area.
The gunman was identified as Nikolas Cruz, who previously attended the school and was expelled for unspecified disciplinary reasons, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said at a news briefing hours later.
Twelve of the dead were killed inside the school building, others outside and others died later in the hospital, Israel said.
The Florida incident renewed the acrimonious debate among segments of U.S. society, particularly opponents and proponents of gun control.
U.S. President Donald Trump last week added his voice to the debate, with an appeal to arm school teachers, a proposal that has been floated by others.
By Robert Adams with information from El Universal
